Sunday, August 19, 2012

Joy Wants Eternity-The Fog is Rising

Post-Rock is a genre of music I have started to get into the last few months.  That isn't to say I hadn't heard post-rock before, just that I didn't know what I was listening to was indeed post-rock.  As far as genre tag labels can take you, Seattle's Joy Wants Eternity is an ambient post-rock band.  I didn't know this when I first discovered them, as to me, thier tunes sounded shoegaze-ey (yeah, I admit that isn't a word).

The Fog is Rising is a long-awaited six-track album that succeeds in bending minds.  The first thing you notice when you start with Our Backs into the Wind is drums that provide neither rhythm nor beat.  This is standard for most post-rock, so I will get to the most noticeable aspect of Joy Wants Eternity's sound.  Many of thier melodies are deeply rooted in atmospheric ambiance played mostly through effects-heavy, looping guitars interspersed with some keyboards to carry the swells of the music.

After the opening song, we are treated with the title track, wich I consider to be a standout on the album.  Echoing guitar tones underline off-kilter drum sections brilliantly, creating a sonic tapestry that evokes more emotion than most emo-core bands do. 

As with most post-rock, Joy Wants Eternity has  no vocals.  They are in some ways comparable to Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai, but incorporate more ambient soundscapes.  Even if you are not a big  post-rock fan, there is plenty to be enjoyed here.  This is another highly recommended album, earning a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars.  Take a listen to Our Backs into the Wind below.

No comments:

Post a Comment